Community Preservation Committee

Community Preservation Act Provincetown

The Community Preservation Act (the "CPA" MGL C.44B) was enacted by state legislators allowing any town in the Commonwealth to adopt a property tax surcharge of up to 3%, the revenues from which, along with any matching state funds, could be directed to open space and recreation, community housing, and historic preservation. The Town of Provincetown adopted the CPA at its May 4, 2004 Annual Town Election as well as a bylaw designating that 80% of the CPA revenues is directed to community housing. On November 3, 2008, Special Town Meeting revised the bylaw to reflect the standard of the Commonwealth and to allow for greater flexibility. The revision allotted 10% for each category -- community housing, historic preservation, and open space/recreation -- with 70% remaining undesignated and available for any category. Once again at the April 7, 2014 annual town meeting, the Town amended the split to reflect the priority for community housing to 60% of the CPA revenues for community housing, 10% each for historic preservation and open space/recreation, and 20% remaining undesignated and available for any category.

 Applications for CPA funds are typically accepted during a fall funding cycle in advance of the April Annual Town Meeting. It should be noted that the Community Preservation Committee does accept applications on a rolling basis if appropriate. Applicants may discuss a potential application with the CPC at any time. 

The Provincetown Community Preservation Committee is seeking funding proposals for projects that meet Community Preservation Fund goals. The Deadline for Proposals is Thursday, December 20, 2018 by 4:00 pm for consideration at the April 2019 Town Meeting.

The CPA mandates that each fiscal year Provincetown must spend, or set aside for later spending, at least 10% of the annual revenues in the Town of Provincetown Community Preservation Fund for each of the three CPA target areas: community housing, open space/recreation, and historic preservation. As revised in April 2014, the Town of Provincetown has adopted a bylaw that further directs that 60% of CPA funds target community housing with 10% for historic preservation and 10% for open space/recreation with the remaining 20% of CPA funds be undesignated and available for any category including administration. Given the projected debt service for already approved projects, that debt service must be deducted from receipts first, and that we anticipate very limited state matching funds, the Community Preservation Committee anticipates granting a maximum of approximately $300,000 in total new grants for FY 2020 for ALL categories. This is a guideline and not intended to restrict applications.

To read the Town of Provincetown Community Preservation Plan and Application for Funding (PDF), go to the Town's website /DocumentCenter/View/10051 . Copies of the Plan and application are also available in the Selectmen/Town Manager's Office, Provincetown Town Hall, 260 Commercial Street, Provincetown, MA 02657 or from Housing Specialist Michelle Jarusiewicz. Completed proposals must be submitted to the Town Manager's office by Thursday, December 20, 2018 by 4:00 pm. For further information, contact Housing Specialist Michelle Jarusiewicz, at 508-487-7087, or email Michelle Jarusiewicz

Kristin Hatch, Chair

Community Preservation Committee

CPA DOR Allowable Uses Chart

While CPA funds are pretty flexible they cannot pay for all things. The following charts will help you decide if a proposed project might be eligible for CPA funds:CPA Funds Chart (PDF)